Kay Johannsen has been the Kantor and Organist at the Stuttgart Church since 1994 and since 1998 has been Director of Church music. Johannsen has been in demand as an organist and teacher since he first gained critical attention in 1988 winning a major competition in Bonn. With performances throughout Europe and in the United States, and with critically-acclaimed recordings, he has been acknowledged as a master performer with a wide repertoire including works of Bach, Boely, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Liszt, Franck, Widor and contemporary composers such as Fortig, Katzer, Rihm, and Bose. The works on this recording are staples of Christmas and Advent time in Germany and many of the selections have crossed into other cultures. Here Johannsen improvises upon them with splendid skill and taste, making this a unique listening experience for the holiday season.